Search Results (291)

Background/Objectives: Previous studies hypothesized that significant exposure to lead (Pb) and/or cadmium (Cd) induces preeclampsia in pregnant women with subsequent unfavorable obstetric outcomes. This study aimed to compare maternal (Pb and Cd) and umbilical cord (Pb and Cd) levels between patients with preeclampsia and healthy control pregnant women and investigate the variables that are associated with preeclampsia. In addition, the possible influences of these heavy metals on birth weight were assessed. Methods: A case–control study involving 60 women in each group was conducted at the Maternity Hospital in Omdurman, Sudan, between January and June 2021, and included pregnant women residing in Omdurman city, Khartoum state, Sudan. A structured questionnaire was used to gather clinical and medical history. Maternal and cord blood concentrations of Pb and Cd were measured using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify variables associated with preeclampsia. Results: The average maternal age in cases was 25.2 (6.1) years, and in the control group, it was 27.7 (7.2) years. All included participants were residing in Omdurman city, Khartoum state. Preeclampsia patients exhibited significantly elevated mean (SD) levels of umbilical cord Pb [14.2 (5.3) vs. 10.2 (4.5) µg/L, p < 0.001], and median (25th–75th quartile) maternal Cd [3.5 (2.0–6.7) vs. 3.0 (2.0–4.0) µg/L, p = 0.021] and umbilical cord Cd [5.0 (3.0–8.1) vs. 2.5 (1.0–4.0) µg/L, p < 0.001] compared with healthy controls. Mean (SD) of umbilical cord Pb level was lower than maternal Pb [14.2 (5.3) vs. 15.7 (7.8) µg/L, p = 0.246), but not reached statistical significance, while median (25th–75th quartile) concentration of umbilical cord Cd and maternal Cd remained comparable [5.0 (3.0–8.1) vs. 3.5 (2.0–6.7) µg/L, p = 0.093], in patients with preeclampsia. Levels of umbilical cord Cd correlated inversely with birth weight [Sperman’s correlation coefficient (rho) = −0.689, p = 0.013]. Umbilical cord Pb [aOR = 1.29; 1.09 to 1.54; p = 0.003], and Cd [aOR = 1.37; 1.08 to 1.73; p = 0.007], in addition to maternal Cd [aOR = 1.35; 1.06 to 1.72; p = 0.012], were among the variables that are significantly associated with preeclampsia in univariate and multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Umbilical cord Pb, maternal Cd, and umbilical cord Cd concentrations were elevated in pre-eclamptic patients compared with healthy parturient controls and associated with preeclampsia. The preferential higher availability of Cd, but not Pb, in fetal compared with maternal blood might explain why umbilical cord Cd, but not umbilical cord Pb, had a significant negative effect on birthweight. Full article

Fish has secured its spot as an important source of human nutrition with its extraordinarily rich nutritional contents; however, it also has the ability to bioaccumulate different potentially toxic elements. They can then end up in the human diet, inducing a wide range of negative effects on consumers’ health. The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) concentrations in Yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) and Bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) acquired at a Hungarian fishery market. The metal concentrations in the flesh of the investigated fish were measured by the ICP-MS method. The average concentrations of metals were As: 2.23, Cd: 0.01, Hg: 0.22, and Pb: 0.29 mg/kg in Yellowfin tuna, and those in Bluefin tuna were As: 1.26, Cd: <0.004, Hg: 0.47, and Pb: 0.28 mg/kg. Pb was found to be over the limit set by the European Commission of 0.3 mg/kg in 17.5% of samples of both Yellowfin and Bluefin tuna. Based on the calculated EDI values, As and Cd content was acceptable, but Hg and Pb were non-compliant. THQ was >1 for Hg in Bluefin tuna and for Pb in both tuna species. HI was >1 for the mixture of metals for adults and children in both tunas. These results indicate potential health risks for consumers over long-term consumption of these fish. Full article

Potentially toxic element (PTE) contamination of food systems has emerged as an important environmental and public health concern in many developing countries, including Uganda, owing to rapid urbanization, industrialization, mining activities, wastewater reuse, informal waste disposal, and expanding urban agriculture. This review synthesizes evidence from peer-reviewed and selected grey literature on the occurrence of cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and arsenic (As) in cereals, vegetables, tubers, livestock products, fish, fruits, and processed foods consumed in Uganda. A structured literature synthesis and screening-level dietary risk assessment using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), hazard index (HI), carcinogenic risk (CR), and total carcinogenic risk (TCR) were conducted to identify contamination hotspots, priority exposure pathways, and potential public health implications. The available evidence revealed substantial spatial variability, with contamination consistently concentrated in mining-influenced agricultural areas, wastewater-irrigated farms, municipal dumpsites, industrial corridors, and urban food markets. Vegetables, cereals, livestock products, fish, and street-vended foods exhibited the greatest contamination burdens, while Pb and Cd were the PTEs most frequently reported exceeding WHO/FAO, Codex Alimentarius, and Ugandan food safety limits. Screening-level risk estimates indicated that Pb, Cd, and Cr contributed most to cumulative dietary exposure, with children consistently exhibiting higher EDI, THQ, HI, and TCR values than adults because of greater food intake relative to body weight. Although cumulative HI and TCR values exceeded recommended screening thresholds in several hotspot regions, these estimates should be interpreted as conservative screening-level indicators derived from heterogeneous published datasets rather than nationally representative measures of dietary exposure. Overall, the evidence indicates that PTE contamination in Ugandan food systems is predominantly hotspot-driven and highlights the need for targeted surveillance, standardized monitoring and reporting, improved pollution control, and strengthened food safety management to reduce chronic dietary exposure and protect public health. Full article

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) are reliable bioindicator species for assessing environmental pollution. In this pilot study, we measured concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) in liver, diaphragm, and testicular tissues from wild boars collected across seven districts of Avellino province (liver/diaphragm: n = 87; testicles: n = 50). Pb reached its highest median value in the diaphragm (0.43 mg/kg w.w.; maximum 14.80 mg/kg), while Cd showed a pronounced affinity for hepatic tissue (median 0.15 mg/kg; maximum 0.62 mg/kg). Zn was the most abundant element overall, particularly in the diaphragm (median 20.51 mg/kg; maximum 46.81 mg/kg). Se concentrations were generally below the detection limit (<0.001 mg/kg), with only occasional outliers. Sex-related differences were evident: males accumulated more Pb in the liver, while females had higher levels of Cd and As. Spatial patterns identified AVMFS009 and AVAR009 as hotspots for Cu, Zn, and Cd, while AVCP003 emerged as the main hotspot for As. Overall, the results reinforce the role of wild boars as effective bioindicators in southern Italy. Full article

Background: This up-to-date narrative review examines the associations of low environmental exposure to toxic trace elements—arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg)—on pregnancy. While high levels are known to be harmful, the impact of low levels has not been fully analyzed. The aim was to summarize global data on As, Cd, Pb, and Hg levels in maternal and cord blood of healthy pregnant women, compare their distribution, and assess associations with demographic factors, lifestyle, and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Scopus for studies published between 1 January 1990 and 14 May 2025. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 824 records were assessed for eligibility, and 656 were excluded based on predefined criteria. Exclusion criteria encompassed in vivo or in vitro studies, non-English written publications, treatment-based studies, and studies involving occupationally exposed pregnant women. Inclusion criteria included original full-length research papers with cross-sectional, prospective cohort, or case–control designs; studies measuring As, Cd, Pb, and/or Hg in maternal and/or cord blood; and studies examining associations with demographic, lifestyle, and pregnancy outcomes. The review was not registered, and no external funding was received. Given the narrative synthesis approach of the review, a formal risk-of-bias assessment was not undertaken. Results: A total of 168 studies were included: 32 reported findings on As, 55 on Cd, 78 on Pb, and 64 on Hg, with 26 addressing all four elements. No meta-analysis was performed; results were summarized narratively. Results show that As and Cd levels are higher in maternal blood, whereas Pb and Hg, including methylmercury, are higher in cord blood. Key factors include smoking, rural residence, and fish or seafood consumption, linked to higher Cd, Pb, and Hg levels, respectively. Interpretation: Low Pb levels show the strongest associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes, while As shows the weakest. Pb’s effects may relate to passive placental diffusion, unlike other elements. Further studies are needed. Full article

Human per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and metal exposures occur as mixtures, but most studies evaluate them independently. Using data from adults in the 2017–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) with directly measured PFAS and blood metals (N = 1648), we assessed joint associations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), lead, cadmium, and mercury with prevalent diabetes via survey-weighted logistic regression, Weighted Quantile Sum (WQS) regression, quantile g-computation, and design-aware and naïve Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR). Survey-weighted diabetes prevalence was 11.4%. Lead and PFOS emerged as the dominant contributors to the exposure mixture in the BKMR model, with posterior inclusion probabilities of 1.00 and 0.997, respectively. In the WQS model, PFOS and PFOA were the primary drivers of the positive mixture index, consistent with their proposed roles in endocrine disruption and insulin resistance. BKMR exposure-response functions were non-monotonic, indicating that lead and cadmium associations with diabetes are nonlinear rather than uniformly directional across the exposure range, a structure that conventional logistic regression cannot capture. Overall, restricting to directly measured exposures, incorporating the full NHANES design in the primary regression, and triangulating across complementary mixture frameworks provide a more rigorous platform than prior single-pollutant or design-naive approaches. Full article

Heavy metals (HMs) such as copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn) from industrial activities are discharged into nearby water resources after treatment. In the present study, the potential of utilizing chemically activated carbon derived from water hyacinths as a sustainable and low-cost adsorbent for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater from the Nakawa industrial area, Uganda was investigated. The measured physicochemical parameters of wastewater (temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, chlorides and total hardness) varied significantly among the three sampled sites (p < 0.05), except for pH. Similarly, the concentration of the HMs in the samples (0.54 ± 0.04 mg L⁻¹ for Cr to 93.54 ± 0.07 mg L⁻¹ for Pb) varied significantly between sites (p < 0.05), exceeding the maximum permissible limits of Cd, Pb, Cr, Cu and Zn specified in the National Environment Standards for Discharge of Effluent into Water or Land. The water hyacinth biomass was activated using eggshell powder and phosphoric acid, followed by thermal treatment. Characterization using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that there was improvement in its surface functionality and porosity post activation. Batch adsorption experiments indicated that optimal removal of the HMs was achieved at pH 4–5, contact time of 90 min, and 1.0 g of adsorbent. Maximum adsorption capacities of Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr and Zn were in the range of 1.04–8.36 mg g⁻¹. Under the optimized conditions, the eggshell-activated carbon derived from water hyacinths had removal efficiencies of 91.2 ± 9.1% (range: 71.3–100%). Adsorption occurred through both monolayer and multilayer coverage, as indicated by the experimental data which fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm (Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions) and Langmuir isotherm model (Cr³⁺ ions). These results support the potential of water hyacinth-derived activated carbon as an ecofriendly alternative for treating low concentrations of these HMs in industrial wastewater. Full article

Groundwater is vital to subsurface ecosystems and to maintaining water supplies for human and environmental needs. Heavy metal pollution of water bodies poses a significant threat to environmental health and human well-being. In this paper, a detailed spatiotemporal analysis of heavy metal pollution at a network of 35 sampling sites is presented for the summer, autumn, and winter seasons. The water samples were analyzed based on the concentration (μg/L) of eight priority metals, such as Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Arsenic (As), Chromium VI (Cr-VI), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), as well as Iron (Fe). Measuring contamination levels, identifying space hotspots, and explaining seasonal variations were the key tasks. The results show that Fe, Zn, and Cu concentrations are consistently high across seasons, with mean values ranging from 234.3 to 253.2 µg/L (Fe), 163.2 to 175.6 µg/L (Zn), and 107.0 to 109.2 µg/L (Cu), indicating a widespread geogenic or diffuse source. The most significant seasonal deviation was observed in the fall when there were unusually high levels of Cd and Hg, with mean concentrations reaching 0.476 µg/L and 0.312 µg/L, respectively, suggesting a strong seasonal contamination event or mobilization process. The spatial analysis showed that the locations (e.g., L6, L8, L10, L28, L29) exhibited common hotspots for different metals, with maximum concentrations reaching up to 793.3 µg/L (Fe), 602.3 µg/L (Zn), and 508 µg/L (Cu). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) effectively separated seasonal trends and classified metals into anthropogenic (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr (VI)) and geogenic/diffuse (Fe, Zn, Cu) groups. The health risk assessment indicated no significant non-carcinogenic risk, although children are more vulnerable, while arsenic levels in winter approached the upper acceptable carcinogenic limit (up to 1.1 × 10⁻⁴). Overall, the study highlights the importance of multi-seasonal monitoring by capturing temporally abrupt contamination events and provides a novel integrated framework that combines seasonal analysis, spatial hotspot identification, and multivariate techniques, distinguishing it from conventional single-season or non-integrated studies. Full article

Slaughterhouse wastewater introduces potentially toxic elements into aquatic ecosystems, yet bioaccumulation patterns in commercial fish species and associated human health risks remain underexplored in West Africa. This study quantified zinc (Zn), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) in three ecologically distinct fish species—Oreochromis niloticus (Nile tilapia), Clarias gariepinus (African sharptooth catfish), and Mugil cephalus (Flathead grey mullet)—from two slaughterhouse-impacted rivers (Transamadi and Mgbuosimini) and a control site (Iwofe) in Rivers State, Nigeria. Metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Two-way ANOVA assessed species and location effects. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed, with Mg used as a potential geogenic tracer, as its loading pattern was independent of Pb and Cd and consistent with the natural background. A Water Quality Index (WQI) classified Mgboshimini and Iwofe as having poor water quality (WQI > 75), while Transamadi had medium quality. Health risks were evaluated using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotients (THQ), and hazard indices (HI) following USEPA guidelines. Metal levels varied significantly by species and location (p < 0.001). Flathead grey mullet from Mgbuosimini had the highest Pb (1.50 ± 0.05 mg/kg) and Cd (0.41 ± 0.02 mg/kg), exceeding EU maximum levels for fish muscle (Pb 0.30 mg/kg, Cd 0.05 mg/kg) by 500% and 800%, respectively. PCA explained 77.5% of the variance, with Pb and Cd clustering as anthropogenic sources, while Mg loaded independently. THQ for Pb approached unity in Flathead grey mullet (0.88), and THQ for Cd reached 0.97. HI exceeded 1.0 in all species from Mgbuosimini, peaking at 2.07 in Flathead grey mullet. Uncertainty analysis (using ±SD) gave a HI range of 1.89–2.25 for this species, all above the safety threshold. Carcinogenic risk for Flathead grey mullet (3.97 × 10⁻⁴) approached the upper acceptable limit. Slaughterhouse effluent appears to elevate Pb and Cd burdens in fish, with detritivorous Flathead grey mullet posing the highest health risk. Exceedance of safety thresholds and HI > 1.0 indicate potential non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic risks. We recommend improved wastewater treatment and species-specific consumption advisories. Full article

Maternal anemia and prenatal exposure to neurotoxic metals are widespread in low- and middle-income countries and may affect early childhood development. In Suriname, where mercury contamination from artisanal gold mining and social disparities coexist, we examined associations between maternal anemia, prenatal exposure to mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), selenium (Se), and cadmium (Cd), and early neurodevelopment. The study included 755 pregnant women and 644 children (10–26 months) from the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health (CCREOH) cohort. Maternal anemia was defined using WHO criteria for Hb, metals were measured in maternal blood, and child development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, third edition (BSID-III-NL). Analyses used non-parametric tests, correlations, and multivariable regression. Anemia, though common (34%), was not independently associated with cognitive, language, motor, or social–emotional outcomes. However, iron status was not directly measured; therefore, the absence of an observed association should not be interpreted as evidence that maternal iron deficiency is unrelated to early neurodevelopment. Pb showed the most consistent associations, with higher prenatal levels predicting poorer cognitive, motor, and language scores. Hg demonstrated weaker but significant negative associations with several domains, while Mn and Cd showed limited direct effects. Interaction analyses suggested a potential modifying role of Se in certain metal-neurodevelopment associations; however, these findings require confirmation in future studies. Overall, these results suggest that prenatal exposure to neurotoxic metals and sociodemographic disparities may be important contributors to variation in early neurodevelopment in this population, but causal inferences cannot be made from this cross-sectional analysis. Full article

Communities in Mississippi located near petrochemical refining facilities face ongoing risks from heavy metal contamination in soils, threatening environmental quality, food safety, and public health. This pilot study evaluated the phytoremediation potential of Nerium oleander and cabbage (Brassica oleracea) in a residential fence-line community within the Cherokee Forest subdivision of East Pascagoula, Mississippi, impacted by long-term petrochemical and shipyard activities. Plants were grown directly in contaminated garden soils under natural field conditions. Soil and plant tissue concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), and nickel (Ni) were measured using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA). Phytoremediation effectiveness was assessed through removal efficiency, translocation factor, and bioaccumulation factor. Results showed significant reductions (p < 0.01) in all soil metals, with cadmium removal exceeding 97%. Nerium oleander exhibited substantially higher metal uptake and translocation capacity than cabbage, achieving a maximum cadmium translocation factor of 9.99 and bioaccumulation factors up to 5.67. In contrast, cabbage showed lower translocation efficiency, suggesting that limited remediation potential but suitability as a food crop after soil treatment. These findings highlight Nerium oleander as an effective, sustainable, and community-acceptable phytoremediation solution. Full article

(1) Background: Highway toll plazas are environments impacted by atmospheric pollutants that may affect workers’ health. However, there are still few studies on these environments. This study evaluated particulate matter (PM) concentrations by size fraction (PM_10–9.0 to PM_0.43) and associated arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb) and vanadium (V) at two toll plazas in Brazil. (2) Methods: PM and trace element concentrations were compared between dry and rainy seasons, and a health risk assessment was conducted for toll collectors based on inhalation exposure. (3) Results: PM_10–2.5 concentrations ranged from 31.8 to 360 µg m⁻³ in the dry season and from non-detectable to 287 µg m⁻³ in the rainy season. PM_2.5 levels varied between 14.9 and 150 µg m⁻³ (dry) and 3.46–174 µg m⁻³ (rainy). Although trace element concentrations were within Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) limits, the hazard quotient (HQ) for manganese and arsenic exceeded unity (HQ > 1), indicating potential health risks. (4) Conclusions: These findings suggest that toll plaza workers may experience increased inhalation-related risk under the exposure assumptions used. Improved ventilation and protective measures, including the use of protective screens, are recommended to reduce occupational exposure. Full article

Heavy metals, such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and cadmium (Cd), pose significant public health risks even at low levels of exposure. This study examined temporal trends in blood heavy metal concentrations among Korean adults over a 12-year period using nationally representative data. We analyzed data from 17,192 adults aged ≥20 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) Cycles 3–7 (2005, 2008–2009, 2010–2012, 2013, and 2016–2017). Blood Pb, Hg, and Cd concentrations, along with relevant covariates, were measured using standardized methods. Temporal trends and sociodemographic disparities were assessed according to sex, age, body mass index, education, income, occupation, residential area, smoking status, and alcohol consumption. All three metals exhibited statistically significant declining trends over the 12-year study period (all p for trend < 0.001). Males consistently had higher Pb and Hg concentrations than females; however, the decline in Cd was steeper in men compared to women, resulting in a reversal of the sex difference, with females having higher Cd levels than males by Cycle 7. Older adults, current smokers, blue-collar workers, and individuals with lower educational attainment had persistently elevated Pb concentrations. For Hg, individuals aged 40–59 years and alcohol consumers had the highest concentrations, whereas education, income, and residential area were not significantly associated with Hg levels. For Cd, older age, smoking, and lower educational attainment were associated with higher concentrations, with the sex difference reversing over time. These findings demonstrate the need for targeted public health strategies, including occupational Pb control, dietary guidance to reduce Hg exposure, and smoking cessation programs. Full article

Environmental contaminants such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and toxic metals have been implicated in biological aging, yet their combined effects remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the associations of PFAS, lead, and cadmium mixtures with multiple DNA methylation-based measures of epigenetic aging in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults aged ≥ 50 years. Data were obtained from the 1999–2000 and 2001–2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The analytic sample included 1119 participants with available data on seven PFAS, blood lead, cadmium, and DNA methylation measures. Epigenetic aging outcomes included HannumAge, HorvathAge, SkinBloodAge, PhenoAge, GrimAge, and DunedinPoAm. Multivariable linear regression and Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) were used to assess individual and joint exposure–response relationships. Cadmium showed the most consistent positive associations with epigenetic aging measures, particularly for the second-generation clocks PhenoAge and GrimAge. Lead was positively associated with GrimAge, while PFAS showed more variable and generally weaker associations, with PFNA demonstrating the most consistent signal. Mixture analyses indicated that higher combined exposure levels were associated with higher DNA methylation age estimates, with stronger patterns observed for second-generation clocks. These findings suggest that combined exposure to PFAS, lead, and cadmium is associated with higher epigenetic aging in older U.S. adults, with cadmium emerging as a key contributor to the observed mixture effects. Evaluating environmental exposures as mixtures may provide important insight into how co-occurring contaminants jointly influence biological aging. Full article

Potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in mining-impacted wetlands can transfer from soil and water to forage and grazing livestock, resulting in dietary exposure for nearby communities. In this study, arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) were quantified in key environmental matrices (soil, surface water, and forage) and in sheep tissues (liver, kidney, and muscle) from six georeferenced grazing sites in the Ite coastal wetland (Tacna, Peru) during the dry season. Samples were acid-digested following U.S. EPA protocols and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) under QA/QC procedures (certified reference materials, blanks, duplicates, and matrix spikes); matrix-specific detection and quantification limits are reported. Arsenic dominated the contamination profile (forage: 428.6 mg kg⁻¹, dry weight; soil: 48.61 mg kg⁻¹; water: 0.97 mg L⁻¹) and was detected in sheep tissues (kidney: 0.1577 mg kg⁻¹; muscle: 0.1538 mg kg⁻¹; liver: 0.0644 mg kg⁻¹). Lead and cadmium were <LOQ in muscle and liver but were measurable in kidney (Pb: 0.0415 mg kg⁻¹; Cd: 0.0011 mg kg⁻¹). To support the interpretation of trophic transfer, screening transfer/bioaccumulation metrics (soil-to-forage, forage-to-tissue, and water-to-tissue) were calculated. Human dietary exposure was screened using estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard quotient (HQ), and margin of exposure (MOE). Because arsenic speciation was not measured, inorganic arsenic (iAs) risk was evaluated as a conservative upper bound (100% iAs) and through sensitivity scenarios (10–50% iAs). Under a high-meat-consumption scenario (300 g day⁻¹), the upper-bound assumption yielded HQ = 2.2 and MOE = 0.46; however, scenario analyses indicate that risk conclusions are highly dependent on the assumed iAs fraction. Overall, the results identify arsenic as a priority contaminant and support targeted grazing management, the provision of low-arsenic water sources, and remediation and monitoring actions to reduce exposure in vulnerable rural communities. Full article